Lawal Ibrahim
3 July 2009
Katsina — The amnesty granted by President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to Niger Delta militants could only succeed if the militants themselves consider the offer as genuine and embrace it in the interest of peace in the country, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has said.
Speaking to newsmen in Katsina yesterday, General Yakubu Gowon who likened equated the amnesty offer to the reconciliation policy he adopted during the civil war, said the amnesty option if achieved would be good for the economic stability of the country.
"We discussed it at the National Council of States (NCS) meeting and we adopted it in order to achieve the peace that is required in Nigeria and especially for the good and economic well being of our people.
"It is like the reconciliatory policy I adopted at the end of the civil war, no victor , no vanquished. So that the people can say yes, we can come together as brothers and sisters and as Nigerians and if the people are genuine like the president is, it will be for the good of Nigeria," he said.
Gowon urged the Niger Delta militants to embrace the amnesty option and surrender their arms, saying the Federal government was serious about the programme to ensure peace and stability in the country.
Gowon who was in Katsina as part of his campaign towards the eradication of guinea worm said the foundation was working towards the certification of Nigeria as a guinea worm free country by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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